This text approaches the understanding of delinquent and criminal behavior from a psychological perspective—with particular focus on the developmental, cognitive-behavioral aspects of offending. Viewing the juvenile and adult offender as being embedded and continually influenced by multiple systems, it highlights how psychological, social, economic, political and ecological factors all play a role in influencing individual behavior. Streamlined in this edition, it offers a separate chapter on delinquency, updated examples and more on the link between psychology and specific crimes.